ISCO solutions are active and in line, doing more than just monitoring. Many solutions today only monitor performance. ISCO solutions take action to do more. ISCO monitors the condition of the wireless links, analyzes the signal, and takes action to improve network performance.

Beyond ISCO's platforms, ISCO’s patented modular software technology can be embedded in other network devices, OSS, and Self Optimizing Network (SON) applications. By virtualization of the ISCO Network Functions within other network software and infrastructure, service providers can realize the benefits of ISCO spectrum conditioning solutions on a wider scale.

new report from RCR Wireless "Spectrum monitoring, testing and analysis" features insight from ISCO international and other spectrum experts

The radio environment is getting ever more complex and crowded, as new technologies, new devices and new spectrum bands come into play. Meanwhile, dynamic spectrum sharing is becoming the new paradigm for policy as regulators seek to promote more efficient use of scarce spectrum resources.

Advanced cellular technologies are more dependent than ever on clear channels in order to produce the gains in efficiency and performance that operators desire, but adding billions of new internet of things devices may raise the noise floor. All of this adds up to challenges in system design and the need for better, faster, cheaper and easier ways to understand the RF environment, locate and address sources of interference.

This new report from RCR Wireless looks at factors impacting interference in wireless networks, strategies for dealing with interference and how the roles of industry and government are shifting. You will learn:

Current approaches and developments in spectrum interference detection and monitoring

Industry trends that are impacting the need for spectrum monitoring as well as technical challenges

Solving Real World Problems

Wireless Operators Face Numerous Challenges

The amount of data wireless networks carry is doubling every year and expected to reach over 6.4 Exabytes per month by 2021 in North America alone. Under continuous competitive pressure to lower subscriber prices while meeting financial objectives, wireless service providers need to improve spectral efficiency to get the most out of their spectrum. By conditioning the RF link and automatically optimizing the network, service providers can provide better subscriber experience, lower the cost to deliver service and improve the gross margin of their services.

Macro Cells & Dense Urban

Dense urban areas with high traffic volumes pose many challenges for wireless service providers. Finite spectrum, high costs and long time required to add more cells apply significant pressure. Add to that the high levels of RF pollution, intercell interference and even PIM combined with high densities of subscribers and focused peak demands and the challenge to meet subscriber needs is very real.

Centralized RAN & Small Cells

For many reasons, the deployment of small cells and centralized RAN are increasing. Small cells, increased numbers of RRUs and C-RAN create new challenges for wireless service providers including managing ICI, cell edge performance and ensuring fronthaul integrity across the CPRI links.

Virtualized Networks

The billions of CAPEX dollars that have been spent over the past 20 years is at the onset of happening again as operators push to new architectures. 5G, densification, IoT, M2M and the many new applications that will become enabled by the future low latency broadband wireless networks will operate from centralized and virtualized architectures. With the growing deployment of Centralized RAN, this evolution is already starting today.

OPTIMIZING THE RF LINK ENABLES MORE TRAFFIC TO BE CARRIED

The uplink needs to operate in adverse conditions including unpredictable high power co-channel and adjacent channel interference which change all the time based on traffic demands and environmental factors. ISCO’s solutions deliver sophisticated software to evaluate the complicated spectral environment and improve the condition of the signal. ISCO’s RF conditioning Network Functions have shown a positive impact on many aspects of the wireless network as measured by operator key performance indicators (KPIs), including SINR, RSSI, CQI, downlink throughput, connected users, and data volume.

Adaptive Interference Mitigation

PurePass® Interference Mitigation

The foundation of ISCO's family of RF performance network functions, PurePass® targets a wide variety of in-band and out-of-band interference scenarios with high performance digital filtering. PurePass® Adaptive Interference Mitigation (AIM) algorithms provide dynamic and autonomous, highly selective in-band filtering that mitigates a wide variety of external interference sources impacting the uplink signal, restoring performance. In addition, PurePass User-Defined Band Reject (UBR) filtering can be used by RF performance engineers to protect against a wide variety of impairments.

Spectrum Monitor™ Visibility and Analytics

Engineers working with today's complex networks know the limitations that come from lack of visibility into what is happening in the RF that can impact network performance. ISCO's Spectrum Monitor™ brings real-time visibility across all of the RF paths where ISCO's solutions are deployed. This multi-sector capability combined with detailed interference analytic tools of ISCO's SpectrumInsight ProTools™ put powerful tools in the hands of RF performance engineers to quickly and effectively identify RF issues and respond accordingly.

c-ONE PIM Canceler®

Passive Intermodulation (PIM) interference can impact even the best designed networks. ISCO has developed a novel, patented approach to canceling PIM that can deal with the complexity of multi-band and cross-sector PIM impacting network performance and limiting wireless operators' ability to turn up new frequency bands.

Link Conditioning®

Applying a variety of RF digital signal processing algorithms Link Conditioning® brings a coordinated focus on improving the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) of the wireless network. Link Conditioning is a closed-loop set of algorithms that can free up capacity to carry more traffic, increase LTE data rates on both the uplink and downlink, add ability to carry more users and improve cell edge performance.

Extended and Automatic Signal Control

ISCO's Hardware Platforms support the full range of Network Functions

For digital baseband RF

ProteusCPRITM

The latest platform for ISCO's spectrum conditioning application, ProteusCPRI leverages off-the-shelf processing and FPGAs to condition spectrum completely digitally, acting on the IQ data carried in the fiber optic CPRI interface between the radio equipment and baseband processing. ProteusCPRI supports any site where the radio equipment is located remotely and is ideal for Centralized RAN (C-RAN) architectures.

For duplexed RF

Proteus1AIRTM

Designed for integration in the harshest environments, Proteus1AIR includes a high-performance dual duplexer along with state-of-the-art electronics in a rugged housing. Proteus1AIR is integrated on duplex RF lines between the antenna and the radio equipment.

Proteus4VTM

Perfect for protecting multiple paths where space is at a premium, Proteus4V enables ISCO's RF conditioning network functions in a simplex receive-only RF platform designed for streamlined integration in venues. A serviceable fan tray included in the unit reduces space requirements and the modular format supports multiple frequencies with room for growth.

ISCO has a long history of technology development and innovation. Originally founded based on superconducting technology from Argonne National Laboratory, ISCO has continued to develop and bring to market a wide variety of leading-edge signal processing algorithms designed to improve network performance. ISCO knows that there is a big difference between the theoretical RF environment of labs and standards bodies and the reality of RF in actual real-world deployments and is focused on developing new and better ways to get the most out of a wireless operator's networks and spectrum.

A reflection of that history is ISCO's investment in R&D, totaling more than $50M in the last 10 years alone. Over 40% of ISCO's team have engineering degrees and ISCO continues to develop and patent new technologies as a core business function.

Crain's Eureka List of the Most Innovative companies in Chicago provides validation of ISCO's innovation and investment in R&D. ISCO has made Crain's Eureka List each of the last three years ranking high in patents per employee.

Most importantly, ISCO's satisfied customers show that ISCO's technology is applicable to solving real problems network operators face every day to provide optimal network performance.